In the 1930's, Gleditsch worked to help political
refugees, and several refugee scientists were offered
positions in her laboratories. One of these refugees was
Hertha Sponer who was dismissed from the faculty of the University of Göttingen in 1934
(because she was a woman). Gleditsch was instrumental in securing
a visiting professorship for her at the University of Oslo. Another was
Marietta Blau
who worked in Oslo with Gleditsch after the Anschluss in 1938
(it was not safe for Blau to return to Vienna then because she was a Jew).

During WWII, Gleditsch actively
supported the resistance movement.

President of the International Federation of University Women 1926-29.